Dressage Rider Mandy Schofield

Blind Dressage Rider Making Waves In UK

A BLIND dressage rider is hoping to canter to victory – with a little help from her friends.

Mandy Schofield started riding in 2002 after a friend recommended her to try out horse riding.

Now, nine years later, she wants to compete in her latest three-day national competition in Gloucester.

Mandy, who has never had her sight, also struggles to hear and has hearing aids in both ears.

Without her sight she relies on her instructor Anna Taylor.

The pair practise three times a week at Middleton Park Equestrian Centre.

Mandy has to visualise the routine in her mind, while Anna stands in the middle, directing her towards different points.

She guides her round the arena telling her through a loop the letters she is approaching.

At each letter Mandy guides her horse Ben through certain moves including 20m circles and 10m circles.

But for Mandy, 38, it’s more than a hobby.

“It’s like having my sight when I’m riding,” said Mandy, “It’s great. I love it.”

This is her ninth year competing, and she has titles in both disabled and able-bodied competitions.

“Ben and I have worked closely together and we have got a bond with each other. He’s a bit silly sometimes but I know what he’s like,” she said.

To get to her latest competition, Mandy needed help to raise the £200 to cover stabling and accommodation costs. Her friends at the Queensbury Singers group dug deep and organised a baking sale during their Friday night rehearsal.

“They’re a fantastic group,” said Mandy, who has been a member since they started in April 2010 years ago.

“They’re really supportive and they have done everything they can to help me.” She hopes to defend her title with two routines.

Her four-minute freestyle routine will take place to a medley of the Can Can, Pink Panther theme, The Entertainer and Singin’ in the Rain.

Inspirational Mandy is hopeful for victory. “I’m going to try to win,” she said.

Source halifaxcourier.co.uk

New Zealand Dressage Rider Jody Hartstone’s Black Stallion Whisper Put Down

New Zealand dressage star Jody Hartstone will contest next week’s Horse of the Year Show without her black stallion Whisper, put down yesterday after a recent injury and short illness.

“It was the least I could do for him – he was such a special horse,” said Raglan-based Hartstone.

“I have such a deep respect for him that I couldn’t bear to see him suffer in any way.”

Whisper burst onto the New Zealand scene one year ago, sweeping aside the opposition at the national championships and Horse of the Year Show, winning all the main classes.

Hartstone last year came close to qualifying the 15-year-old for the world equestrian games in Kentucky.

Together, Hartstone and Whisper won 11 of their 12 starts in New Zealand – placing second in the 12th one.

Hartstone will compete on her other stallion Donnerwind at the Horse of the Year Show which starts on Tuesday.

Source stuff.co.nz